Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 16.89
Surrender Rather Than Take Pride in Learning
“This mere boy has blocked my intelligence. I can therefore understand that mother Sarasvatī has become angry with me.
What the purport teaches
- All intelligence comes from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in everyone’s heart as the Paramātmā.
- The paṇḍita received the intelligence to understand that his pride and desire to defeat the Supreme Lord had led to his defeat. Learning cannot protect one who offends the lotus feet of the Lord.
- Our duty is to surrender always to the lotus feet of the Lord, without false pride. Mother Sarasvatī arranged this situation to favor the paṇḍita so that he might surrender unto Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Try this today
Before studying today, offer a brief prayer to the Lord for freedom from false pride and a willingness to surrender.
Ask yourself
How can remembering the source of intelligence help me become less proud of my learning?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.